Bruins Set to Host Belmont Invitational

Belmont vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 

Friday, Sept 5. | 10 a.m. CT 
 

Belmont vs. Nicholls State 

Friday, Sept 5. | 7 p.m. CT 
 

Belmont vs. Tennessee State 

Saturday, Sept 6. | 5 p.m. 
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University volleyball (2-1) hosts the Belmont Invitational, beginning Friday, Sept. 5, at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins open play against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 10 a.m. CT before facing Nicholls State later that evening at 7 p.m. CT. Belmont will close the tournament against Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m. CT. 

First serve of the weekend is set for 10:02 a.m. against UAPB. Each match will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

What's Bruin 

• Belmont opened the 2025 season with a 1-3 loss at Vanderbilt, followed by back-to-back home wins over Seton Hall and UT Martin. 

• The Bruins' setting duties have been split between Jordan Czajkowski, who has 57 assists, and Alivia Keegan, who has 43. 

• Brooke Gilleland leads the Bruin attack with 40 kills, averaging 3.64 kills per set. She posted a season-high 15 kills against Vanderbilt. 

• Freshman middle blocker Erin McMullen paces the defense at the net with 11 total blocks, averaging 1.10 per set. She has also contributed 17 kills offensively. 

• Lilly Lutz anchors the back row with 57 digs, averaging 5.18 digs per set. 

• As a team, Belmont averages a .191 attacking percentage while holding opponents to a .161 average.  

• The Bruins are averaging 2.00 blocks per set with 22 total blocks through the first three matches. 

• The Bruins are led by first-year head coach Fritz Rosenberg. 

• Belmont is in its fourth year in the Missouri Valley Conference, after finishing 11-19 overall and 6-12 in league play last season. 

• The Bruins have made four NCAA Tournament appearances (2006, 2008, 2012, 2015), twice pushing nationally ranked Louisville to four sets (2012, 2015). 

• Program history includes signature wins over Mississippi State, Marquette, Virginia Tech, UCF, West Virginia, Boston College, Syracuse, DePaul, and UConn. 
   

About The Golden Lions  

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff is 0-3 after losses to Morgan State, Delaware State, and South Carolina State at the Betty Austin Invitational. 

• Ashanti Butler leads the offense with 24 kills this season. 

• Jada Shepard has totaled 28 assists to run the attack. 

• Amaya Jones leads the defense with 20 digs, while Butler averages 2.0 blocks per set. 

• The program is in its fourth year under head coach Gabrielle Floyd. 

• The Golden Lions finished 4-26 overall and 2-14 in SWAC play last season. 
   

About The Colonels  

• Nicholls State is 3-0, its best start since 2021, with wins over Mississippi Valley State, Alcorn, and Grambling. 

• Madison Smith leads the offense with 30 kills, averaging 3.0 per set alongside 32 digs. 

• Isabella Padilla has distributed 81 assists, averaging 8.10 per set. 

• Harper Holden has recorded 14 total blocks. 

• The program is led by 3rd-year head coach Jonea Rima. 

• The Colonels ended last season 7-20 overall and 2-14 in Southland Conference play. 

About The Tigers  

• Tennessee State is 0-3 following losses to Northwestern State, USC-Upstate, and Memphis at the Rumble at the Roane Invitational. 

• The 2025 roster includes eight freshmen, three transfers, and three returners. 

• Senior setter Sagaia Reilly has totaled 36 assists this season after recording 678 assists in 2024. 

• Sydni Poston leads the defense with 21 digs. 

• Maygan Miler-Garcia leads the offense with 18 kills. 

• The Tigers have compiled 12 total blocks across three matches. 

• The program is led by ninth-year head coach Donika Sutton. 

• The Tigers finished 10-22 overall and 6-12 in the Ohio Valley Conference last season. 

Follow Along 

• All 3 Matches - Live ESPN+ | Live Stats at BelmontBruins.com 

Follow Belmont volleyball on social media - @BelmontVB  on Twitter, @belmontvball on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.